The mandate and the mission of the " Expert Group on Innovation for Growth" is related to the policy implementation of the Innovation Union. The experts shall provide the best possible advice on research and innovation policy implementation to the Commission.
I4G assesses the socio-economic impact and the potential of research and innovation actions to deliver welfare to European citizens, and review best research and innovation cases and practices and forward suggestions for R&I policies. The group works in close interaction with the Commission services and takes into account the evolving discussions at political level.

Task:

Other

Provides expertise to the Commission when preparing implementing measures, i.e. before the Commission submits these draft measures to a comitology committee

• Provides independent economic advice on research and innovation (R&I) policy to the Commission
• Assessment of socio-economic impact and of the potential of R&I
• Review of best R&I cases and practices
• Forwards suggestions for R&I policies
• Advice to the Commission on policies for research and innovation and how to turn them into economic growth, based on empirical evidence and analysis from the academic literature;
• Assessment of the impact and the innovation potential of actions in the context of the Innovation Union Flagship Initiatives;
• Explore new avenues for R&I policies;
• Recommendations on how to make the Innovation Union work at European, national and regional level within a global context;
• Support to the Commissioner on communication and dialogue on research and innovation policies with stakeholders at European, national and regional level.
• Consider the economic benefits of the European Research Area (ERA) and explore related issues.

The work programme of i4g is determined annually. The results of the work programme 2012 have been discussed at the workshop "Innovating out of the Crisis" held 28 November 2012. The group provides:
• R&I Policy Briefs – short papers substantiating a policy advice in the field of research and innovation;
• R&I Policy Papers – elaborated papers and short studies on R&I policy relevant issues;
• Best R&I practice Brief – best practice cases are analysed and presented considering their economic impact as well as recommendations for future policy making;
• Dedicated reports – are produced by particular i4g Panels.

Members of the group were chosen by the Commissioner for Research and Innovation from the experts database EMM used for RDI activities and on the basis of the selection process and the criteria for selection indicated in point 3.2 of EC decision C(2011) 1132- OJ L75 of 22.3.2011.p1. (see attached link). Moreover, the specific expertise required was defined during a workshop with the Cabinet and on the basis of experiences gained with a previous high-level expert group called 'Knowledge for Growth'. As a result and in addition to the scientific strategic vision of potential candidates, three criteria have guided their selection: 1) A balanced representation of the fields of expertise: economics and innovation 2) Recognised excellence of these experts in their respective fields as innovation economists 3) Balance in terms of geographical representation and gender: Gender: 8 female, 7 male members. Geographical balance: this group consists of 15 members from 11 different nationalities: Belgian (2), British (2), German (2), French (2), Greek (1), Italian (1), Slovenian (1), Spanish (1), Swedish (1), Swiss (1), and Polish (1).

The mandate of i4g shall last the full term of the Commissioner. The group is composed of a Bureau of 15 members. The Commission supports i4g with studies on issues of immediate relevance to research and innovation policy. I4g is assisted by a secretariat (DG RTD Unit C2). Members of the Bureau meet every two months.